Wednesday, June 21, 2006
All My Rowdy Friends ...
I've done some pretty cool things in my life and career in the media. I've met some high profile people, been in the audience during notable moments, and been a part of some special private events. I've always said I need to make a list of the "celebrities" I've met, interviewed, or helped with projects. I've also always kept a list of my top 5 concerts in the back of my head. More on that in another post.
Because of my job, I've had the opportunity to meet a number of people along the way and be a part of the "private showcase" performances artists put on at radio stations. It's the artist's way of promoting their product, just like Sargento Cheese buys advertising or has a retired school teacher distribute cheese cubes at Kroger on a Saturday.
I've seen Britney, Avril, Michelle Branch, the Backstreet Boys, Diddy, Aerosmith, Bon Jovi, Matchbox Twenty, Goo Goo Dolls, Jewel, Sarah McLachlan, Kenny Rogers, Rascal Flats, Train, Sheryl Crow, Duran Duran, Beyonce w/Destiny's Child, and many more that don't have headliner status perform in intimate settings.
Today was different. Hank Williams Jr. did a private performance for our country station at lunchtime in a hot and steamy airplane hanger at Hooks Airport, just north of Houston. He arrived on a corporate jet (actual jet at right). It was not his personal jet as the air conditioning was out. He stepped off the plane, grabbed his guitar, and performed for about 30 minutes to a crowd of about 100 people. After his performance, he took group photos with the attendees and signed a few autographs even though his handlers said he wouldn't sign for anyone.
It was a setting for a show I'll never forget with a real American music icon. Whether you think country music is simply for rednecks or understand the cultural significance of Hank Williams Jr. and his family tree, it was a truly unique experience and setting. After all, this is the guy made famous by the adaption of one of his records for a weekly television show. Even though the network that made his "All My Rowdy Friends" record crossover into the mainstream didn't renew the weekly series, his song will still be a part of the broadcast as it migrates to ESPN on September 11.
Training Update:
Dotel route, 29:38, about 8:13 miles mean for 3.6 miles. Off until Saturday.
-30-
Because of my job, I've had the opportunity to meet a number of people along the way and be a part of the "private showcase" performances artists put on at radio stations. It's the artist's way of promoting their product, just like Sargento Cheese buys advertising or has a retired school teacher distribute cheese cubes at Kroger on a Saturday.
I've seen Britney, Avril, Michelle Branch, the Backstreet Boys, Diddy, Aerosmith, Bon Jovi, Matchbox Twenty, Goo Goo Dolls, Jewel, Sarah McLachlan, Kenny Rogers, Rascal Flats, Train, Sheryl Crow, Duran Duran, Beyonce w/Destiny's Child, and many more that don't have headliner status perform in intimate settings.
Today was different. Hank Williams Jr. did a private performance for our country station at lunchtime in a hot and steamy airplane hanger at Hooks Airport, just north of Houston. He arrived on a corporate jet (actual jet at right). It was not his personal jet as the air conditioning was out. He stepped off the plane, grabbed his guitar, and performed for about 30 minutes to a crowd of about 100 people. After his performance, he took group photos with the attendees and signed a few autographs even though his handlers said he wouldn't sign for anyone.
It was a setting for a show I'll never forget with a real American music icon. Whether you think country music is simply for rednecks or understand the cultural significance of Hank Williams Jr. and his family tree, it was a truly unique experience and setting. After all, this is the guy made famous by the adaption of one of his records for a weekly television show. Even though the network that made his "All My Rowdy Friends" record crossover into the mainstream didn't renew the weekly series, his song will still be a part of the broadcast as it migrates to ESPN on September 11.
Training Update:
Dotel route, 29:38, about 8:13 miles mean for 3.6 miles. Off until Saturday.
-30-
